Oral hygiene needs a larger scale of attention. It involves more than just being conscious to wash your teeth and using dental floss. It has to do with changing lifestyles.
Dental care is a financial investment; the return is self-confidence with a big smile, social opportunities, and employability. But having a beautiful smile costs a lot of money, even when certain procedures are subsidised or segments of society have free access to dentists. Lately, the number of dental clinics has increased, including those specialised in kids’ dental treatment – which is to be praised, and hopefully, more clinics will be opened beyond the urban areas.
The lack of concern about dental care can be said to be based on the absence of awareness of oral hygiene and the costs of dental checkups and treatment.
Not everyone can afford the high prices or specialised professionals, though expertise can reflect on the quality of the clinics. However, much of the odontological work requires special tools and highly trained professionals. Gingivitis is one of the biggest problems, and when not treated or improperly treated, it can turn into a much worse condition that can affect other health issues.
The situation with dental care has many facets, but many times the causes are improper brushing or dietary habits, the living standards of different regions, and access to dental care.
Assuming some parents are not keen on brushing their teeth, how can their children develop an understanding of oral hygiene? Some adults even use bubblegum to camouflage the smell of infected gums or tooth decay, yet they feel self-conscious about their teeth.
If children are made to wait until they start school to learn about dental care, it is already too late. Lack of oral care can result in ear infections and school absenteeism. Same with adults. If they don’t have regular checkups and treatment, it will impact on their lives through chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, anemia, or diabetes.
Elderly people can experience many dental problems due to the immune system, bone loss, poor treatment carried out years before, and other health conditions.
Just the other day, I had to do some paperwork, and while waiting for my number to be called, an Asian young lady sat down next to me. She was the motivation for this article. I don’t understand dentistry, but I can smell foul breath. Her breathing smelled of infection. I wondered how much pain she was suffering. Can she sleep at night? Eat? If she were a housemaid, would she cook for the family? This woman in her early 30s would not have the money or the time to seek treatment; at most, she would have her teeth extracted.
The situation of the lady next to me could be the same for thousands of people who do not have regular checkups or treatment either offered for free or subsidised – that would mean time and money as expenditures and not investments from the employers’ perspective. Patients in remote areas may have difficulties accessing dental care; besides, most healthcare insurance includes minimal basic coverage. When in need of an appointment, patients have to wait for availability, often for weeks, and end up getting mouthwash and painkillers prescribed.
There is a shortage of dental care for people, regardless of whether they have free access to basic services or not. It is a health issue rather than just a beautiful smile.
Nowadays, for those who can afford it, the trend is to include cosmetic procedures such as whitening, veneers, or dental bonding. It is good to see efforts for oral and dental health campaigns. However, additional efforts need to be made to address the problem. People with poor dental health are sometimes unaware that they are less employable and have fewer social opportunities.
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